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At the end of its majestic linden tree avenue, Château Soutard stands proudly. Its centuries-old walls, steeped in the aromas of wine, tell stories of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication passed down through generations.
Historians have found the first traces of the estate in old notary papers dating back to the early 16th century. In the year of grace 1513, under the reign of Louis XII, known as the Father of the People, a property named Mayne de Soutard existed in the parish of Saint- Émilion. It was a "bourdieu," a Gascon word describing an estate centered around a farm and a mill.
16th
At the end of its majestic linden tree avenue, Château Soutard stands proudly. Its centuries-old walls, steeped in the aromas of wine, tell stories of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication passed down through generations.
The history of the estate mentions Élie Gréau, a local figure who held the roles of lawyer and lieutenant of the town. However, the real beginning of Soutard's legacy starts with Jean Coutures, a bourgeois and Jurat of Saint-Émilion, who purchased the property in 1699. His descendants would build the estate’s success and reputation. Skilled and enterprising, his daughter Marie expanded the estate and made a decision that elevated Soutard to greatness: she commissioned the construction of a château to match her ambitions.
Signatures of Pierre Combret de Lanauze and his wife Marie Couture, daughter of Jean Couture and Isabeau Guadet, appear before the notary Jaumard in August 1741.
18th
At the end of its majestic linden tree avenue, Château Soutard stands proudly. Its centuries-old walls, steeped in the aromas of wine, tell stories of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication passed down through generations.
Jean Combret emerged as a great winemaker and an outstanding agricultural engineer. He had a deep love for vines and wine. Reviving ancient Roman cultivation methods, he had furrows carved into the limestone to plant vines and became a strong advocate for row planting. At that time, vines were not planted in rows; they grew chaotically in a disorganized fashion.
Remnants of the furrows carved by Jean Combret de Faurie at Soutard still remain today.
1750
At the end of its majestic linden tree avenue, Château Soutard stands proudly. Its centuries-old walls, steeped in the aromas of wine, tell stories of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication passed down through generations.
Marie Couture decided to build a château worthy of her ambitions. The main body of the residence, which reflects the strict elegance of the 18th century, was constructed between 1741 and 1762. It is grand but austere, with straight lines defining the facades, only broken by a triangular pediment. The unity and color of the pale stone give rise to a natural elegance, avoiding excess in favor of a harmonious and refined vision of the world. Marie’s faithful son, Jean Combret de Faurie, continued her work, enhancing the property with a landscaped park that brought an air of freedom to the estate.
1762
At the end of its majestic linden tree avenue, Château Soutard stands proudly. Its centuries-old walls, steeped in the aromas of wine, tell stories of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication passed down through generations.
Jean Laveau, a highly skilled winemaker who was one of Saint-Émilion’s most important viticulturists for over a quarter of a century, purchased the property and worked wonders with it. Upon his death, the land was divided among his close relatives, one of whom, Jeanne du Foussat de Bogeron, brought Soutard as a dowry when she married Michel des Ligneris in 1919. The descendants of this agricultural engineer managed the estate’s destiny until 2006.
Advertisement for Château Soutard and Badette, 1935.
19th
At the end of its majestic linden tree avenue, Château Soutard stands proudly. Its centuries-old walls, steeped in the aromas of wine, tell stories of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication passed down through generations.
AG2R La Mondiale, already the owner of Châteaux Larmande (Grand Cru Classé) and Grand Faurie La Rose (Grand Cru), both neighboring Soutard, acquired the estate with the ambition to see this magnificent gem flourish. At the time, the property spanned 27 hectares, with its vineyard boundaries (22 hectares in a single plot) remaining unchanged for over a century.
2006
At the end of its majestic linden tree avenue, Château Soutard stands proudly. Its centuries-old walls, steeped in the aromas of wine, tell stories of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication passed down through generations.
In 2009, the nearby Château Cadet-Piola joined the AG2R LA MONDIALE vineyards, bringing the total area to 60 hectares, 30 of which are on the Saint-Émilion plateau. Since the 2012 classification, Cadet-Piola has become an integral part of Château Soutard, and all three remaining wines—Soutard and Larmande (both Grands Crus Classés) and Grand Faurie La Rose (Grand Cru)—continue to be vinified in their respective cellars.
2009
At the end of its majestic linden tree avenue, Château Soutard stands proudly. Its centuries-old walls, steeped in the aromas of wine, tell stories of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication passed down through generations.
Roses are of great significance at Soutard, still marking the edges of the vineyards, a practice once used as a microbiological warning system. Rose motifs can be found in the moldings and ceilings throughout many rooms of the house. To continue this tradition, we have incorporated these motifs into the cellars and the wine-tasting room, where many decorative elements reflect this theme. Like dewdrops, crystal rosebuds remind us of the fresh spring mornings, while metal versions adorn the décor like a luxurious necklace.
2010
At the end of its majestic linden tree avenue, Château Soutard stands proudly. Its centuries-old walls, steeped in the aromas of wine, tell stories of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication passed down through generations.
In 2011, a respectful, elegant renovation of the château began, using local artisans to preserve the spirit of Soutard. The first phase of work covered the two wings, which display traditional winery architecture, one of them now housing the new fermentation room and visitor area. The second phase began in the summer of 2014, aiming to restore the 18th-century grandeur to the château’s living and reception spaces. By September 2015, the doors opened to reveal a splendid renovation that honored the estate’s history.
2011
CHÂTEAU SOUTARD
